Today is an international day on the calendar to celebrate women. 

I will share the story of a woman many of you have never heard of; she is called Gettysburg’s Angel.   Her story is one of courageous strength, transcending most of the residents in her town in the  historic, summer days of 1863.

Elizabeth Thorn and her husband were caretakers of Evergreen Cemetery, in Gettysburg.  The job of caretaker fell upon her capable shoulders when her husband went off to aid in the war effort.

She managed, with some help from an elderly father until history brought unimaginable death and horror literally to her doorstep.

Elizabeth was pregnant, there were bodies heaped by the dozens in the Cemetery grounds; men in the town could not take the stench and horror and left her and her elderly father alone to manage.

And Elizabeth did; she hand dug over 100 graves……some of which still remain in Evergreen today.  If you visit Gettysburg; there is a statue of a pregnant woman, wearily wiping sweat from her tired brow, spade in hand…..visit this site…..you will learn who a hero is when you look upon Elizabeth’s face.

Namaste,

Shirl